Baird's Sparrow, Ammodramus Bairdii
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Baird’s Sparrow Ammodramus bairdii in Canada SPECIAL CONCERN 2012 COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2012. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Baird’s Sparrow Ammodramus bairdii in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. x + 32 pp. (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm). Previous report(s): COSEWIC. Unpublished draft report. 1996. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Baird’s Sparrows Ammodramus bairdii in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 16 pp. Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Andrew Horn for writing the status report on Baird’s Sparrow Ammodramus bairdii in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada. This report was overseen and edited by Jon McCracken, Co-chair of the COSEWIC Birds Specialist Subcommittee. For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: 819-953-3215 Fax: 819-994-3684 E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Également disponible en français sous le titre Ếvaluation et Rapport de situation du COSEPAC sur le Bruant de Baird (Ammodramus bairdii) au Canada. Cover illustration/photo: Baird's Sparrow — photo courtesy Sharon Stiteler. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2012. Catalogue No. CW69-14/22-2012E-PDF ISBN 978-1-100-20703-2 Recycled paper COSEWIC Assessment Summary Assessment Summary – May 2012 Common name Baird’s Sparrow Scientific name Ammodramus bairdii Status Special Concern Reason for designation Canada supports about 60% of the breeding population of this prairie songbird. The species was common and perhaps even abundant historically. It suffered declines stemming from agricultural conversion of its native prairie habitat across the Great Plains. There is good evidence for population declines in recent decades, but the species is difficult to monitor effectively, and information on short-term population trends is relatively weak. Loss and degradation of its specialized grassland habitat, on both its breeding and wintering grounds, are believed to pose the most significant threats. Evidence of long-term population declines, coupled with ongoing threats to habitat, are the primary reasons for elevating the status of this species from Not at Risk to Special Concern. Occurrence Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba Status history Designated Threatened in April 1989. Status re-examined and designated Not at Risk in April 1996. Status re- examined and designated Special Concern in May 2012. iii COSEWIC Executive Summary Baird’s Sparrow Ammodramus bairdii Wildlife Species Description and Significance The Baird’s Sparrow is a secretive grassland sparrow, distinguished from other sparrows by “moustache” marks on its yellowish-ochre face, a necklace of thin streaks across its breast, and a song that usually ends in a wiry, musical trill. As a range- restricted species of the northern prairies, it is a valuable grassland indicator for that region. Distribution The Baird’s Sparrow breeds from southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba, south to Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Canada encompasses about 45% of its breeding range, and is home to an even greater proportion of the global population. Baird’s Sparrows winter from southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas south to north central Mexico. Habitat This species mainly breeds in large patches of mixed grass and fescue prairie with sparse shrubs, moderate grass heights, and some litter. These features can sometimes be met by non-native habitats, but breeding success can be poor in some of these habitats, such as tame hay and croplands. Over 75% of native grassland in the Baird’s Sparrow’s breeding range has been destroyed since the 1800s, mostly converted to cropland. Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation continue across the species’ range. Biology Baird’s Sparrows likely breed in their first year and live about 3 years. They nest in late May through July, raising an average of 1.5 young during each of the one or two breeding attempts they have each year. About half of nests fail, with most lost to a variety of avian and mammalian predators. Birds rarely return to the same place to breed each year, but instead settle wherever conditions are suitable for breeding. iv Population Sizes and Trends The global population is estimated from Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data as 1.2 million individuals (± 50%), of which 60% breed in Canada. The BBS shows a statistically non-significant annual average rate of decline of 2.0% in the population in Canada since 1970 (95% CI: -4.5 to 0.6). However, because Baird’s Sparrows appear to shift their breeding distributions in response to patterns of precipitation, using combined long-term BBS data for Canada and the US is believed to represent a more appropriate source of population trend estimates. This yields a statistically significant decline of 25% (95% CI: -13 to -39) over the past decade. Threats and Limiting Factors The main threats to Baird’s Sparrows are habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation, caused by a variety of factors, with energy extraction becoming particularly important recently. Other threats include disruption of natural processes (grazing, fire, and drought), agricultural operations, brood parasitism by cowbirds, pesticides, and climate change. Protection, Status, and Ranks The Baird’s Sparrow is protected under the Canada-US Migratory Birds Convention Act and Manitoba’s Endangered Species Act. It is recognized as being at risk on several non-legal status rankings across its range, including the US Birds of Conservation Concern and the Partners in Flight and Audubon Society Watch Lists. Various programs are in place to conserve native grassland, but less than 25% of the Canadian prairie region is still native grassland, and only 15% of native grassland across this species’ range is protected. v TECHNICAL SUMMARY Ammodramus bairdii Baird’s Sparrow Bruant de Baird Range of occurrence in Canada (province/territory/ocean): Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba Demographic Information Generation time 2-3 yrs - Estimated based on other small passerines. Is there an estimated continuing decline in number of mature individuals? Yes Estimated percent of continuing decline in total number of mature Decline, but not individuals within 5 years. calculated - Insufficient short-term trend data are available Estimated percent reduction in total number of mature individuals over the 25% (95% CI range: last 10 years. 13%-39%) - Estimated from an interpolation of range-wide, long-term Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data. Inferred percent reduction in total number of mature individuals over the Unknown (not next 10 years. calculated) - Insufficient trend data are available Suspected percent reduction or increase in total number of mature Unknown (not individuals over any 10-year period, over a time period including both the calculated) past and the future. - Insufficient trend data are available Are the causes of the decline clearly reversible and understood and No ceased? - Understood, but not clearly reversible and not ceased Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals? No Although local fluctuations can be extreme, these likely represent temporary shifts in occurrence rather than population fluctuation. Extent and Occupancy Information Estimated extent of occurrence 410,000 km² Index of area of occupancy (IAO). > 2,000 km² Is the total population severely fragmented? No Number of locations Unknown Is there an observed continuing decline in extent of occurrence? No Is there an observed continuing decline in index of area of occupancy? Unknown, but likely given population decline Is there an observed, inferred, or projected continuing decline in number of Not applicable populations? Is there an observed, inferred, or projected continuing decline in number of Unknown locations? Is there an observed continuing decline in the area, extent and quality of Yes (rate unknown) habitat? Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations? Not applicable Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations? No Are there extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence? No Are there extreme fluctuations in index of area of occupancy? No vi Number of Mature Individuals (in each population) Population N Mature Individuals Total 715,000 (350,000- 1,100,000) Quantitative Analysis Probability of extinction in the wild is at least 20% within 20 years or 5 No analysis done generations, or 10% within 100 years. Threats (actual or imminent, to populations or habitats) Grassland habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation on both the breeding grounds and wintering grounds; disruption of natural processes (grazing, fire, drought); nest losses stemming from agricultural operations; heightened brood parasitism; pesticides; and climate change. Rescue Effect (immigration from outside Canada) Status of outside population(s)? Declining; the long-term population trend in the US is -3.5%/year for the period 1988-2009 (95% CI: -5.5, -1.3). Is immigration known or possible? Yes Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada? Yes Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada? Yes, but limited and declining Is rescue from outside populations likely? Unlikely, because of declines in the US